Transforming the unjust gender norms that shape the division of paid and unpaid work in society is a key challenge in development policy and practice. This project builds on my PhD thesis which examines changes and continuities in the norms governing the household division of labour in Medellín, Colombia, where an increasing number of women have joined the labour force, yet continue to take on a disproportionate share of unpaid work at home. It addresses often-overlooked gender dimensions of the 'Medellín Model', shedding light on the role of violence in shaping care norms and highlighting community care processes essential to human security and resilience. 

The ESRC fellowship aims to translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, development institutions, and civil society organisations. It will produce a portfolio of policy and guidance materials, including a policy brief and methodological tip sheet, that offer practical learnings for development programmes and for designing new indicators to capture the multifaceted nature of social norms change. Dissemination activities will mobilise various actors, including academics, researchers in development institutions, NGOs and activists.